Abstract

Triclosan (TCS) is an antibacterial and antimicrobial compound, which is considered as “Emerging Organic Contaminants” and highly toxic to living organisms even at very low concentrations. It is an endocrine disrupter with anti-androgenic and oestrogenic properties and reduces serum level of thyroid hormone. TCS has highly persistence in sludge and sludge applied soils through sewage due to anthropogenic activities. The present study was carried out to assess the concentration of TCS in sewage, sewage sludge and contaminated soils from sewage treatment plants (STPs) of Ukkadam, Coimbatore. The observed TCS concentration in raw and treated sewage was 9.2 mg L^-1 and 5.79 mg L^-1. The higher concentration of TCS was found in sludge sample (28.24 mg kg^-1) and the concentration of TCS in sewage contaminated soils of Coimbatore was 1.65 mg kg^-1. The plant samples collected from sewage irrigated lands of Coimbatore (Napier grass) also showed 0.019 mg kg^-1including samples of leaf, stem and root. The study showed the presence of TCS in sewage, sewage sludge, contaminated soils and plant samples that can be harmful to the environment.

Key words : PCPs, TCS, Sewage, Sludge, Contaminated soi